Summary The charter vessel VANCOUVERSPIRIT departed False Creek, B.C., outbound to Bowen Island, B.C., with 24 passengers(1) and three crew on board. The vessel started taking on water off the coast of West Vancouver in the vicinity of Grebe Islets and rocks. The passengers were transferred to another charter vessel, the SUMMER SUN, which was in the vicinity. Portable pumps were used to control the ingress of water into the engine space, and the VANCOUVER SPIRIT was towed to shelter for subsequent lifting out and repairs. Ce rapport est galement disponible en franais. Other Factual Information Particulars of the Vessel The VANCOUVERSPIRIT is fitted with two passenger decks, each with steering controls at the forward end, with the main steering and manoeuvring controls on the lower deck. The passenger seating and entertainment area is located at the lower deck level and the dining lounge is at the upper deck level. A flush manhole in the lower deck provides access to the engine space. Embarkation is carried out at the after end of the lower deck. At about noon(2) on 11 June 1995, 24 passengers, comprising adults and children, boarded the VANCOUVERSPIRIT for an excursion. The trip was part of the entertainment activities arranged by the management of a computer manufacturing company for the families and friends of its employees. The company had hired a public relations firm, which arranges such activities, to manage the excursion. The latter had engaged the services of the VANCOUVER SPIRIT for this purpose. The three crew, including the skipper, were not certificated nor were they required to be by regulations. Nonetheless, the mate had Marine Emergency Duties Part A1 and A2 training. A pre-departure safety announcement comprising the location of lifejackets and other safety equipment on board was made by one of the crew over the public address (PA) system. The boat then departed False Creek for Bowen Island. The vessel participated in the Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), routinely reporting to the Vancouver Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) over the very high frequency radiotelephone. After passing Point Atkinson, the vessel turned north toward Grebe light off Indian Bluff, West Vancouver. The skipper was at the helm, steering by local knowledge, monitoring the progress of the vessel and maintaining a look-out. The mate was attending to the passengers. There was no provision for fixing the vessel's position from the steering console as the radar was inoperable. The passengers were taking part in a game of identifying features ashore. At about 1340, when the vessel was in proximity of Grebe light, a loud tearing sound was heard over the music playing on the PA system. The sound was heard once again and the steering of the boat became sluggish. On investigating, the skipper found that water was entering the engine space through the rudder area. It was reported to the MCTS and to other vessels that the VANCOUVERSPIRIT had apparently struck a rock. At that time, no mention was made of the possibility of the vessel striking, or of the existence of, a deadhead either to the MCTS or to other vessels which had proceeded to assist. However, it was later indicated that the vessel had possibly struck a deadhead. Other boats in the vicinity saw the VANCOUVERSPIRIT very close to the rocks of Grebe Islets. Some of the rocks were covered by water. The skipper hailed the charter vessel SUMMER SUN, which was in the vicinity. When she came alongside, the passengers of the VANCOUVERSPIRIT were transferred. A Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) cutter and a hovercraft also attended, as did a response boat from the owners of the VANCOUVERSPIRIT. Additional pumps were used to pump out the water while the leak in the hull was temporarily plugged and the boat towed to safety where she was lifted out of the water for repairs. History of the Vessel The vessel is registered as a yacht in the ship's registry, but is listed as a passenger vessel in the Transport Canada Ship Inspection Registration System. Since 1991, the vessel has been inspected on five occasions and she had been issued an inspection certificate (SIC) 16. The vessel had last been inspected by Transport Canada (TC) Marine Safety(3) on 08 December 1994. The attending surveyor only issued a short-termed SIC 16 due to expire on 07 January 1995 because the work to correct previously identified conditions which compromised vessel safety had not been completed to the surveyor's satisfaction. The work to be performed included the installation of an approved bilge pumping system. At the time of the occurrence, the vessel was operating without a valid inspection certificate. According to TC Marine Safety, the VANCOUVERSPIRIT had a Charter Party Agreement. The letter agreement between the public relations firm and the owners of the VANCOUVER SPIRIT set out the departure and arrival times from Granville Island, the price per person and a list of food and beverages to be served on the trip. No seaworthiness or safety requirements were included in the agreement.